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About ASHCA

NEW NATIONAL COUNCIL WORKS FOR
SAFER, HEALTHIER
AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY 

Agriculture is consistently among the most hazardous occupations in the United States. In an average year, 516 workers die while doing farm work and each day about 243 workers suffer lost-time injuries. Agriculture, due to its decentralized nature and diverse structure, lags behind other industries in reducing the toll on its workers with a fatality rate that is eight times that of the all-industry average.

The Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America (ASHCA) is working to close that safety gap. The new Council, driven by farmer/rancher and agribusiness leaders, is the first of its kind in the U.S. to pursue a national strategy to reduce disease, injuries and fatalities in American agriculture.

“What’s encouraging is the combination of people coming together -- farmers and ranchers, organizations that represent them, insurance companies, equipment companies -- that all have this common interest and need,” said William Nelson, CHS Foundation president and the first elected chair of ASHCA. “What really impressed me about this group of people, along with their commitment to agricultural safety, is they’re coming from exceptional organizations and are extremely dedicated.”

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ASHCA is building on the success of similar national initiatives in Australia and Canada. Organizations represented on ASHCA’s Board of Directors include many familiar names:

  • Agri-Services Agency
  • American Farm Bureau Federation
  • Association of Equipment of Manufacturers
  • CHS Foudation
  • Center for Technology Optimized Agriculture
  • CropLife Foundation
  • Dairy Marketing Services
  • Federation of Southern States Cooperatives
  • Workers Compensation Fund
  • National Council of Agricultural Employers
  • National Farmers Union
  • National Institute for Farm Safety,
  • Penn State University
  • Pork Checkoff
  • The Zenith Insurance Company
  • Workers Compensation Fund

Administrative services are provided by the National Farm Medicine Center at Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation.

The Council’s mission: To proactively address ongoing and emerging occupational safety and health issues affecting U.S. agriculture.

 Goals for the Council include:
  • Pursue national strategies to reduce agricultural injuries and fatalities, based on reliable
    data and emerging issues.

  • Influence research priorities to rapidly identify best management practices for worker
    safety and health that maximize cost efficiency and sustainability.

  • Guide the development of effective delivery systems for safety and health through communications involving leaders representing producers, agribusiness, insurance, safety associations and others.
     

Initial financial support for assessing the feasibility of a Council was provided by the Farm Foundation. As of January 2008, ASHCA became a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organization funded by members and sponsors.

“I think ASHCA has a chance to do some real good, given the involvement of the producer community,” said Dan Hair, senior vice president of Workers Compensation Fund and vice-chair of ASHCA.

A variety of membership packages are available for individuals and organizations. For information, contact the Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America (ASHCA), 1000 North Oak Ave., ML1, Marshfield, WI 54449, visit www.ashca.org or phone 715-221-7270.